Quite a few years ago, a friend and I wanted to stage a one-day get-together for female-born, male-identified (language has changed since then – this is the language we used at the time) individuals living in Colorado.

Our purpose was three-fold: to get as many of us together as possible to find out overall needs throughout the state; to try to determine the numbers of us throughout the state; and to reach out to those in rural areas who might not be receiving services or who might need connections.

This was going to be a small event, with perhaps three or four “workshops” and a main gathering area for guys to meet and have conversations and discussion. We wanted to make it free and accessible. We had a concept, but we needed an organizing committee, because even a brief event requires volunteers and planners to make it come to fruition.